title: [Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus infection at the time of entry to prison in the prison population in the north-east of Spain].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spanish prisons have a high number of inmates whose behaviour puts them at risk of being infected by hepatitis C virus (HCV). The object of this study was to establish the prevalence of this infection and its associated factors in the prison population of the north-east of Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inmates in seven prisons in the north-east of Spain were studied. Socio-demographic and prison variables were gathered, as well as risk factors for infection by HCV. Antibodies against HCV were determined (EIA and INNO-LIA HCV III), Hepatitis B virus (VHB) (EIA), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (EIA and Western-Blott). The analysis of associated factors was based on logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the total number of inmates studied, 47.9% presented HCV antibodies. There was greater prevalence in the case of the following: UDVP (89.6%); those who shared needles (94%); those infected by HIV (92.7%); carriers of Australia antigen (65.1%) and antibodies to the HBV core antigen (79.8%); those who had been in prison before (60.9%); unmarried men (54.8%); gypsies (52%); unqualified workers (50.4%); those who had no basic school qualifications (50.9%); those with tattoos (66.7%); and those with a background of self-inflicted injuries (79.3%). In the logistic regression analysis the variables associated to infection by HCV were: UDVP (OR = 33.3; I.C. 95% = 25-50), HBcAc (+) (OR = 4.1; I.C. 95% = 1.1-5.3), age (OR = 0.98; I.C. 95% = 0.96-1.00), months in prison (OR = 1.011; I.C. 95% = 1.004-1.019) and a background of previous prison sentences (OR = 2.3; I.C. 95% = 1.5-3.6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of infection by HCV in prison inmates is very high. It is therefore recommended that preventive measures be increased (harm reduction programmes) and that clinical and analysis protocols be drawn up for those infected and for treatment in cases of chronic active hepatitis in order to control this serious public health problem.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martín Sánchez
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ferrer Castro
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Pallas Álvarez
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Alonso Herrero
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andrés Honorato
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Coterillo González
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: García  Marcos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: González Márquez
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hernández Alonso
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: LLanos Gallegos
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mallada García
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Martínez Martínez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morillo Pérez
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pérez Martínez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valles Martínez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners; D011330:Prisons; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies
vernacular_title: Seroprevalencia de infección por virus C de la hepatitis en población reclusa del noroeste de España a su ingreso en prisión. Grupo Noroeste para el estudio de la Hepatitis por Virus C en el medio penitenciario.